Almost half of over 50s don’t know that annuities come in many forms and with various options, according to research from Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group.

A major new study has found that a quarter of people (24%) are in the dark about the age they will receive their State Pension - including 10% of those aged 55 to 64.

A quarter of young people aged 18-24 years are unaware of auto-enrolment, despite new proposals being published that will extend the scheme to 18-year-olds. 

Standard Life, part of Phoenix Group, is backing the Samaritans charity with a series of activities ahead of Christmas to ensure people know where to turn to if they are struggling to cope during the festive period.